Crescent Park

We are enjoying beautiful sunshine and visiting neighbours and friends.
I was going down to the Alexandra Festival Sat but got waylaid and drove though the park.

I drove in the back off 28 Ave and it is very rural.  The 3 ponds in the middle are so grown with vegetation you can't really see them all.

When the kids were little the boys would play hockey on the big pond, the girls would figure skate in the middle and the little ones would try to skate or toddle around on the smallest pond.  There were yellow iris at the edge.

Movie Time

Ron and I really enjoy seeing movies in the theater.
We went to

The Grand Budapest Hotel

These were the adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. It was interesting but what I enjoyed , most was the incredible architecture and style of that era.

Next we saw                         Bears

 This Disney nature film was amazing. It is the birth and first years of a mother and her 2 cubs. It has everything from digging their way out of the winter hibernation cave.
The majority of "Bears" follows the family’s trek from the majestic, snow-covered mountains (where they narrowly miss being pummeled by an awesome avalanche—at least that’s what the editing suggests) down to sea level to fish for salmon. The cubs tumble down hills and tussle with one another.

Heaven is for Real

 

A four year old boy has a near death experience and describes heaven and say he sat on Jesus lap.
This is a charming movie and I believe it.

Zach's Graduation

                           Congratulations Zach, very proud of you.

Pattie's Surprise Birthday Party

Elizabeth hoisted this event and it was wonderful and a big surprise.

One silly gift was this pig cap, earrings and brooch.

                   All the girls were there for our much loved friend.

Down to the Dock

We met this lady, dressed for Queen Victoria's birthday, tiara and all.

We went down to the dock for prawns.

 which we enjoyed in the sunshine with fresh bread dipped in Blood Orange fused Olive Oil and Chocolate Balsamic Vinegar. did we say - delicious? mmmm.

We saw a mom and 13 babies swimming near the shore where unfortunately someone seemed to have run their boat aground.

Visiting Family

Chris has been working at the mill here, so we got together and looked at Relic's tugboat Persephone, from the popular TV series The Beachcombers which ran from 1972 - 1990.

Downtown Gibsons is always decked out for the tourists; this year bird houses have been added to the flowers and colourful street banners.

Friday we were on popcorn duty, popping 146 bags before recess. Busy job. It comes in 20 Kg. bags and is going continuously, although not fast enough for the crowd.

We had a family party Fri night and it was so much fun seeing everyone.

                                        There are daily hot tubs.

Exploring Central City ( Surrrey)

We had an 8 a.m. appt up in North Surrey or City Center as it is now known. Surrey used to be the 4th largest municipality in Canada and now as a City, I think it is the 2nd largest in the province. It is divided into 5 regional centers, Newton, Cloverdale, Guildford, South Surrey and now City Center which used to be Whalley and is being totally revitalized. It is anchored by a large highrise with City Center prominent at the top.
Surrey has 1000 people moving here each month, more than 95 different languages spoken and 1/3 of the population is under 19.

 It was very interesting walking all around the place.
Simon Fraser University's Surrey Campus was the first, build in 2006 in the bottom 6 floors of the City Center highrise with a nice plaza at street level. Designed by Bing Thom, it has received many awards.

 

The staircase soars up to the Mezzanine where poles of raw lumber support up to the round skylight.

This metro center includes a flagship library with Terracotta Warriors as a gift from China.

The whole area connects to each other. There's a huge Community Plaza where many family events and celebrations are held throughout the year. Surrey is big on building vertical gardens on local buildings.

The new City Hall was about 9 billion dollars but rent from the old one is supposed to help pay the mortgage. There is a very large sculpture of birds soaring up in the ceiling towards the outside and plaza 

area.

                                    Everything is steps from the metro Skytrain.

Soup Kitchen

I join my high school friend Joni and help prepare the meal the 1st Tuesday of each month. This is held at the Catholic church hall every Tuesday.I started last year when they were really short of helpers and I get to work with Joni once a month and help in the community at the same time.

I think I peeled about 25 pounds of potatoes. They were having salad, stew, breads and desserts today.

 Cobs delivers bread each time and there is enough that folks get some to take home as well. Some people just come for the socialization and make a donation.

Fun with Friends

This has been a month of appointments - eyes, establishing a new Dr., lab tests etc. like everyone who is doing their yearly checks.
We enjoyed the winter league Pool Banquet and loved seeing Gloria, a fairly new player getting her award.

We had lots of fun at Terry's birthday, including laughing at the over-sized panties she was given.

Her daughter baked a beautiful cake with a heart in the middle.